Exterior chute loaded wood transportation and storage device

ABSTRACT

A transportation device for transferring material from a higher elevation at an outdoor location to a lower elevation at an indoor location, such as a basement, via a chute assembly, specifically an exterior chute loaded wood transportation and storage device. The chute may be of varying lengths depending on the distance to be traveled. The chute may remain in position or be removed when not in use with corresponding closure means to prevent precipitation, animals, or outdoor air from entering the house. A wood storage bin, with holes to facilitate air flow, may be placed near the foot of the chute in the indoor location to receive and store the wood.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a transportation device fortransferring items from a higher elevation to a lower elevation via achute assembly, and in particular to an exterior chute loaded woodtransportation and storage device.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are many occasions when an individual may need to transport items,such as wood, from an outdoor location at a higher elevation to anindoor location at a lower elevation, such as a basement. It is notalways convenient to store wood exclusively outdoors when the wood is tobe used indoors. In the past, it has been necessary for individuals totransport such items by hand down flight(s) of stairs. Often times,multiple trips are required to complete the task. In addition to beingtiresome, this situation can also pose safety issues through therepetitious trips up and down the flight(s) of stairs. Further, storingwood outdoors does not appropriately prepare the wood for use in anindoor fireplace or wood-fired stove. For these reasons, a safer, easierdevice to transport these materials is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a transportation device for transferringitems from a higher elevation to a lower elevation via a chute assembly.The present invention is an exterior chute loaded wood transportationand storage device for transferring wood from an outdoor location to anindoor location, such as a basement. The chute assembly of the presentinvention includes a chute; an exterior window flush plate; an interiorbevel plate; hangars a means for restricting motion such as a lockingpin; joist hangar brackets; and connecting means such as a threaded rod.In another embodiment of the present invention, the chute assembly alsoincludes anti-sway bars, handles, a locking rod, an open position slot,and a closed position slot.

Optionally, a wood storage bin may be placed at the foot of the chuteassembly to receive the material, such as wood, which is placed in thechute assembly. In order to facilitate the circulation of air around thewood, the wood storage bin can contain numerous holes.

The chute may be either permanently fixed in position or may beremovable through loosening of the means for restricting motion. Whennot in use, the chute may remain in place provided the exterior portionof the chute is equipped with a chute closure device to preventprecipitation, small animals, or outdoor air from entering the house.The exterior portion of the chute may be equipped with a chute closuredevice, which fits securely in place, of sufficient size to providecomplete coverage of the exterior portion of the chute. Further, theexterior portion of the chute may be equipped with a chute coveringmeans, which locks into the closed position, to prevent precipitation,small animals, or outdoor air from entering the house. In order toremove and prevent accumulating water, the exterior portion of the chutemust contain drainage holes.

As an alternative, when not in use, the chute may be removed byloosening the means for restricting motion. When the chute is removed,both the exterior window flush plate and interior bevel plate can alsobe removed to allow the basement window to close as before in order toprevent precipitation, small animals, or outdoor air from entering thehouse. As an alternative to the removal of the exterior window flushplate and interior bevel plate, an exterior covering means and aninterior covering means respectively, which locks into the closedposition, may be placed over the exterior window flush plate and/or theinterior bevel plate to prevent precipitation, small animals, or outdoorair from entering the house.

Further, as another alternative, when not in use, the chute may beplaced in the closed or stored position. To place the chute in theclosed or stored position, first, the means for restricting motion ispulled out of the open position slot. Second, the chute slides forwardtowards the basement floor until the means for restricting motion locksinto place at the closed position slot. Third, the basement window maynow close.

The chute may be of varying diameters to accommodate variously sizedwood. Further, the number of hangars and corresponding joist hangarbrackets may vary depending on the distance to be traveled.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, claims, and accompanying drawings. Therefore, the form ofthe invention, as set out above, should be considered illustrative andnot as limiting the scope of the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the chute assembly;

FIG. 1 a is a view of the chute assembly in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a view of the chute closure device, which completely coversthe exterior portion of the chute when the chute is not in use;

FIG. 3 is a view of the chute with a chute covering means, which locksinto position, and drainage hole(s);

FIG. 4 is a view of the exterior covering means, which locks intoposition over the exterior opening of the exterior window flush plateonce the chute has been removed;

FIG. 5 is a view of the interior covering means, which locks intoposition over the interior opening of the interior bevel plate once thechute has been removed;

FIG. 6 is a view of the chute assembly in the closed position;

FIG. 7 is a view of the wood storage bin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention represents a chuteassembly as shown in FIGS. 1, 1 a-7.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts a chute assembly 1. The chuteassembly 1 includes a chute 2 containing an exterior portion 3 and aninterior portion 4. The chute 2 depicted in FIG. 1 has a cylindricalshape. The chute 2 may be constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)plastic. The chute 2 depicted in FIG. 1 possesses a cut away portion toassist in the loading of the chute 2 for the transfer of material suchas wood.

Further with reference to FIG. 1, the chute assembly 1 also includes anexterior window flush plate 5 containing an exterior opening 6 ofsufficient size to allow the passage of the chute 2; an interior bevelplate 7 containing an interior opening 8 of sufficient size to allow thepassage of the chute 2. The exterior window flush plate 5 and theinterior bevel plate 7 will typically mounted on either side of abasement window. The chute assembly 1 also includes at least one hangar9 for securing and positioning the chute 2 where at least one hangar 9is equipped with a means for restricting motion 10; at least one jointhangar bracket 11 for securing and positioning the chute 2 where thenumber of joist hangar brackets 11 equals the number of hangars 9; andat least one connecting means 12 for connecting the hangars 9 and thejoist hangar brackets 11. The joist hangar brackets 11 are typicallymounted on the joists of a basement ceiling. The hangars 9, means forrestricting motion 10, joist hangar brackets 11, and connecting means 12may be constructed of metal.

Further with reference to FIG. 1, the connecting means 11 depicted inFIG. 1 are of varying lengths to allow for and to create a downwardangle of the chute 2. Further, the interior opening 8 of the interiorbevel plate 7 is lower than the exterior opening 6 of the exteriorwindow flush plate 5 to allow for and to create a downward angle of thechute 2. The downward angle of the chute 2 will facilitate the transferof material such as wood through the chute 2.

Further with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of thepresent invention where the chute assembly 1 includes two hangars 9where the last interior hangar 9 is equipped with the means forrestricting motion 10; two joist hangar brackets 11; and two connectingmeans 12. Another embodiment of the chute assembly 1 includes a singlehangar 9 equipped with a means for restricting motion 10; a single joisthangar bracket 11; and a single connecting means 12.

With reference to FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 a depicts another embodiment of thepresent invention where the chute assembly 1 in the open position alsoincludes a locking rod 13, anti-sway bars 14, handles 15, an openposition slot 16, and a closed position slot 17.

With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 depicts the chute closure device 18. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the chute closure device 18completely covers the exterior portion 3 of the chute 2 when the chute 2is not in use and fits securely in place. The chute closure device 18 isnecessary to prevent precipitation, small animals, or outdoor air fromentering the house.

With reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 depicts the chute covering means 19. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the chute covering means 19locks into position to seal the entrance of the chute 2 when the chute 2is not in use. The chute covering means 19 is necessary to preventprecipitation, small animals, or outdoor air from entering the house.Further, the exterior portion 3 of the chute 2 contains a drainage hole20 in order to remove and prevent the accumulation of water.

With reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 depicts the exterior covering means 21.In another embodiment of the present invention, in which the chute 2 isremoved by loosening the means for restricting motion 10, the exteriorcovering means 21 locks into position over the exterior opening 6 of theexterior window flush plate 5. The exterior covering means 21 isnecessary to prevent precipitation, small animals, or outdoor air fromentering the house.

With reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 depicts the interior covering means 22.In another embodiment of the present invention, in which the chute 2 isremoved by loosening the means for restricting motion 10, the interiorcovering means 22 locks locked into position over the interior opening 8of the interior bevel plate 7. The interior covering means 22 isnecessary to prevent precipitation, small animals, or outdoor air fromentering the house.

With reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 depicts the chute assembly 1 in theclosed position. When not in use, the chute 2 is placed in the closedposition. To place the chute 2 in the closed position, first, the meansfor restricting motion 10 is pulled out of the open position slot 16.Second, by pulling on the handles 15 the chute 2 slides forward towardsthe basement floor until the means for restricting motion 10 locks intoplace at the closed position slot 17. Third, the basement window may nowclose. The angle of the chute 2 in the closed position is much steeperthan the angle of the chute 2 in the open position. The cut away portionof the chute 2 allows the chute 2 to be placed at this steeper angle inthe closed position. This steeper angle will allow any wood debris, inparticular any wet wood debris, to fall downward.

With reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 depicts a wood storage bin 23 that canbe optionally placed substantially near the end of the interior portion4 of the chute 2. The wood storage bin 23 contains a plurality of holesto facilitate the drying of the wood placed in the wood storage bin 23.

1. A chute assembly comprising: a chute containing an exterior portionand an interior portion; an exterior window flush plate containing anexterior opening of sufficient size to allow the passage of said chute;an interior bevel plate containing an interior opening of sufficientsize to allow the passage of said chute; at least one hangar forsecuring and positioning said chute wherein said at least one hangar isequipped with a means for restricting motion; at least one joist hangarbracket for securing and positioning said chute wherein the number ofsaid at least one joist hangar bracket is equal to the number of said atleast one hangar; and at least one connecting means for connecting saidat least one hangar and said at least one joist hangar bracket forsecuring said chute in position.
 2. The chute assembly of claim 1wherein said chute is cylindrical.
 3. The chute assembly of claim 1wherein said at least one hangar consists of a single hangar; saidsingle hangar is equipped with said means for restricting motion; saidat least one joist hangar bracket consists of a single joist hangarbracket; and said at least one connecting means consists of a singleconnecting means.
 4. The chute assembly of claim 1 wherein said at leastone hangar consists of a plurality of hangars; one of said plurality ofhangars is equipped with said means for restricting motion; said atleast one joist hangar bracket consists of a plurality of joist hangarbrackets; and said at least one connecting means consists of a pluralityof connecting means.
 5. The chute assembly of claim 1 wherein saidexterior portion of said chute possess a cut away portion.
 6. The chuteassembly of claim 1 wherein said connecting means are of varying lengthsto allow for a downward angle of said chute.
 7. The chute assembly ofclaim 6 wherein said interior opening of said interior bevel plate islower than said exterior opening of said exterior window flush plate toallow for a downward angle of said chute.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)10. (canceled)
 11. The chute assembly of claim 1 wherein said chute ispermanently fixed in position by said means for restricting motion. 12.The chute assembly of claim 11 wherein said exterior portion of saidchute contains a fixed chute closure device of sufficient size toprovide complete coverage of said exterior portion of said chute. 13.The chute assembly of claim 11 wherein said exterior portion of saidchute contains a chute covering means, which locks into the closedposition.
 14. The chute assembly of claim 13 wherein said exteriorportion of said chute contains at least one drainage hole.
 15. The chuteassembly of claim 1 wherein said chute is removable by loosening saidmeans for restricting motion.
 16. The chute assembly of claim 15 whereinsaid exterior window flush plate is equipped with an exterior coveringmeans which locks into position over said exterior opening of saidexterior window flush plate when said chute is not in place.
 17. Thechute assembly of claim 16 wherein said interior bevel plate is equippedwith an interior covering means which locks into position over saidinterior opening of said interior bevel plate when said chute is not inplace.
 18. The chute assembly device of claim 1 wherein said chute isconstructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.
 19. The chute assemblyof claim 1 wherein said at least one hangars, said means for restrictingmotion, said at least one joist hangar bracket, and said at least oneconnecting means are constructed of metal.
 20. The chute assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said means for restricting motion is a locking pin. 21.The chute assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one connecting meansis at least one threaded rod.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled) 24.(canceled)
 25. A method for transporting wood from an outdoor locationto an indoor location comprising: utilizing a chute assembly whichenters an indoor location from an outdoor location; placing a log in anexterior portion of a chute; releasing said log allowing gravity to acton said log such that said log travels down said chute and comes to restin said indoor location.
 26. The method of claim 25 comprising:utilizing a wood storage bin; allowing a lower end of said chute todisplace into said wood storage bin.
 27. A method for closing aretractable chute comprising: pulling a means for restricting motion outof a open position slot of said retractable chute; pulling on at leastone handle of said retractable chute to slide said retractable chuteforward towards a basement floor until said means for restricting motionlocks into place at a closed position slot; and closing a basementwindow.
 28. The chute assembly of claim 1 wherein said chute assembly islocated in a basement consisting of a basement window, a basementceiling, and a basement floor.
 29. The chute assembly of claim 28wherein said exterior window flush plate is securely attached to theexterior of said basement window; said interior bevel plate is securelyattached to the interior of said basement window; and said at least onejoist hangar bracket are attached to the joists of said basementceiling.
 30. The chute assembly of claim 28 wherein said chute assemblyfurther comprises a wood storage bin.
 31. The chute assembly of claim 30wherein said wood storage bin is located on said basement floorsubstantially near the end of said interior portion of said chute. 32.The chute assembly of claim 31 wherein said wood storage bin contains aplurality of holes to allow the flow of air through said wood storagebin.
 33. A chute assembly comprising a chute containing an exteriorportion and an interior portion; an exterior window flush platecontaining an exterior opening of sufficient size to allow the passageof said chute; an interior bevel plate containing an interior opening ofsufficient size to allow the passage of said chute; at least one hangarfor securing and positioning said chute wherein said at least one hangaris equipped with a means for restricting motion; at least one joisthangar bracket for securing and positioning said chute wherein thenumber of said at least one joist hangar bracket is equal to the numberof said at least one hangar; at least one connecting means forconnecting said at least one hangar and said at least one joist hangarbracket for securing said chute in position; at least one anti-sway barconnected to said at least one hangar and said interior bevel plate; atleast one handle connected to the interior end of said chute; a lockingrod for securing said chute in the closed position; an open positionslot for receiving said means for restricting motion when said chute isin the open position; and a closed position slot for receiving saidmeans for restricting motion when said chute is in the closed position.34. The chute assembly of claim 33 wherein said chute is internallyretractable such that an obstruction is placed over said exterioropening.
 35. The chute assembly of claim 34 where said obstruction is awindow.